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A guest suffered from *pi* syndrome (a condition characterized by abdominal masses or fullness). Pathogenic factors accumulated within, latent and unable to be expelled; external pathogens resisted entry and could not be admitted. He consulted a physician, who said, "It is imperative to use purgation." The guest returned and took the medicine. After ingestion, he experienced sudden severe diarrhea. Within less than a day, the previously latent pathogenic factors dispersed completely, and the previously resistant pathogens became weak and unable to sustain themselves. The burning sensation in the chest and diaphragm was resolved, qi mechanism became unobstructed, breathing became smooth and open, and he felt extremely refreshed, as if he had never been ill.

However, within a few days, the *pi* syndrome recurred. The same medication was administered again, and the feeling of refreshment was identical to the first time. From then on, within less than a month, the *pi* syndrome occurred five times, and purgation was applied five times. Each time purgation was used, symptoms temporarily subsided. Yet the guest's vital qi was repeatedly drawn upon with every word, causing sweating without physical exertion and trembling in the thighs without walking. While the skin and flesh showed no outward depletion, the internal vital qi became weak and deficient, its source unknown. Alas! Was *pi* syndrome truly requiring only purgation? I followed the treatment method, and my technique was not flawed. So why did the vital qi suffer so severely?

I heard there was a skilled physician in the southern region of Chu, so I went to consult him. The physician sighed and said, "Do not blame this state of depleted vital qi. Your previous treatment method was indeed effective and rapid, but please sit, let me explain. In the world, any matter that brings extreme satisfaction to the mind inevitably causes harm at its conclusion. If one seeks to avoid harm at the end, one should not expect initial satisfaction. Yin pathogens are latent, and yang qi is stored; when qi and blood fail to circulate, *pi* syndrome forms. The accumulation obstructing your chest has built up over a long period. To strike it away and remove it requires no more than a moment to eliminate such a heavy burden; gentle and harmonious herbs cannot achieve this. One must employ forceful striking, beating, shaking, and disturbing methods. However, a person's harmonious qi (healthy qi) is subtle and faint, turbulent and easily endangered. Before the effects of forceful striking and beating can be fully realized, your harmonious qi would already be damaged. Thus, for every instance of relief from *pi* syndrome, your harmonious qi suffers one injury. In less than a month, there were five instances of relief; has not your harmonious qi been exhausted? Therefore, you sweat without labor and tremble without walking, appearing as if you cannot endure until the end of the day.

If you wish to remove the *pi* syndrome without harming your harmonious qi, return home and rest quietly for three months before taking medication." The guest returned and rested for three months, observing abstinence, before requesting treatment again. The physician said, "Your qi has slightly recovered." He prepared medicine and handed it to him, saying, "Take this for three months, and the illness will stabilize somewhat. Take it for another three months, and you will recover somewhat. After a full year, you will return to normal. Moreover, medication must not be administered hastily." The guest followed this advice. Initially, the process seemed sluggish and frustrating because the medicine was administered three times, leading to three reversals (fluctuations). However, daily observation revealed no immediate curative effects; yet, comparing month by month and season by season, changes were evident. Ultimately, after a year, the disease was cured. The guest visited the physician, bowed twice in gratitude, and sat down to ask for the reason. The physician said, "This is the principle of governing a state, not merely treating diseases. Have you not observed how Qin governed its people? The people were fierce and disobedient, lazy and neglectful of duties, unrestrained and fearing no law. Orders were ignored, and governance failed to change. Thus, the people of Qin were in a state of 'pi' (obstruction/stagnation). Shang Yang, seeing this obstruction, employed harsh laws and penalties, using authority to execute and punish. Fierce and severe, like thunder, showing no mercy, he ruthlessly eradicated them. Consequently, Qin's administration flowed smoothly in all directions, with no one daring to resist, and the 'pi' of Qin achieved a momentary sense of satisfaction. From Duke Xiao to the Second Emperor, how many times did obstruction occur and how many times was there satisfaction? The stubborn were broken, the strong became soft, but the people of Qin lost their joy. (*Records of the Grand Historian: Biography of Lord Shang*: Duke Xiao of Qin employed Wei Yang to enact reforms. Duke Xiao said, 'Good.' The reform edicts were finalized, establishing mutual surveillance among groups of five and ten households, implementing collective punishment. Those who failed to report crimes faced waist execution, while those who reported criminals received rewards equal to those awarded for enemy heads. Those who hid criminals were punished as if they surrendered to the enemy.) Thus, each instance of harsh policy bringing satisfaction resulted in the loss of public joy. Accumulating satisfaction without limit left Qin's limbs empty, possessing only form. The hearts of the people drifted away day by day, leaving the ruler isolated above. Therefore, when a commoner shouted loudly, various ailments arose within a single day. Qin wished to move its hands, feet, shoulders, and back, but they responded indifferently. Thus, the fall of Qin was the fault of those seeking momentary satisfaction.

In ancient times, during the rule of the Former Kings, the people also initially experienced obstruction. Did the Former Kings not know that striking forcefully, like splitting wood, would bring speed? It was precisely because it would cause harm in the end that they dared not seek satisfaction for their own minds. Instead, they gently and patiently comforted and preserved the people, teaching them benevolence and righteousness, guiding them with ritual and music. They secretly resolved chaos and removed stagnation. At first glance, it might seem frustratingly slow, but calculated monthly and examined annually, the customs of the previous year differed from those of the current year. Without striking or fighting, there was no resistance. Thus, hostile qi was removed daily without hurting the people's joy. Consequently, governance succeeded, education spread, peace lasted long, and there were no subsequent disasters. Therefore, the governance of the Three Dynasties passed through several sages and lasted hundreds of years before customs were established. Thus, it is no wonder that my prescription took a year to cure the disease. Hence it is said: In the world, matters that bring immediate satisfaction to the mind inevitably cause harm at their conclusion. If one seeks to avoid harm at the end, one should not expect initial satisfaction. Although this applies, does it apply only to governing the world?" The guest bowed twice and recorded these words.